Flight Delays

We were supposed to be out of Manila by now but our plane had mechanical issues and we weren't even able to board the airplane. No one likes to hear that their flight has been canceled, and international flight cancellations are especially frustrating. When the announcement went out across the loudspeaker, a unified grown of displeasure was heard amongst all in Gate 11.

One man even yelled "that's not fair"! To which the flight attendant calmly replied "I am sorry sir" and the man again yelled loudly, "No that's not fair". He then went on to advise them that they should get another plane, but they informed him that they had all ready thought of that.

These people that get so irate forget how childish they come across. No one likes canceled flights, changes in plans, and prolonged uncomfortable waiting. Life is like that sometimes though, isn't it. When they don't accept the inevitable they only make a mockery of themselves.

I felt really bad for the poor flight attendants that had to deal with this man, as well as the hundreds of other hot headed people. It was easy to see that though they were stressed they were doing the best they could.

Because of the delay they sent us to a hotel in a high rise in downtown Manila. We are on the 21st floor, and are reveling in our unaccustomed luxury. And we thought we were spoiling ourselves last week. Not all situations have good in them, but it must be remembered that not all situations are all bad. We are enjoying fine dining, and comfort of a high class hotel. A situation only has to be as bleak as we choose to paint it.

We do however feel a little awkward eating and dining in a 4 star hotel in our raggy clothes. Because we slept in the airport the night before, all we were wearing was sweat pants and hoodies. Very out of place in an environment were we are being serenaded by the piano as we eat our food and served water by uniformed waiters.

In any case, we are thankful to have good food in our bellies and a hot shower and bed to enjoy. We hope we can come home soon, but if we have to get a delay or cancel, this is the way to do it. And we're thankful that we didn't get on board a plane that could have been dangerous!

Last day in Palawan

What an amazing last couple weeks we have had.We were in the mountains for about 7 months straight, so it is surreal to be in a city again. As I sit in our hotel room and type this with the comfort of AC, I all ready feel like I am in a new and foreign world. It is really nice to have this comfort and we are enjoying it, especially not having to be under a mosquito net while we sleep, but we never want to forget that such things are a privilege and not necessarily a right. The man who carried our box out was given 50 pesos, the standard pay. That covers about 3 hours of hard work, 50 pesos also happens to be the same price for the standard mango shake. I don't think to many palawano's have had a cold drink, let alone a mango shake. I am not saying there is anything wrong with enjoying a cold drink, or staying in a AC room. I just don't want to forget that my ability to do so is a privilege.


Saying goodbye to the Palawano's was a lot harder than I anticipated. I didn't even think I would cry, I was wrong. It surprised me how much my emotions flooded me as we were saying goodbyes. Jeunie (the boy I was praying would see his dad) wept and hugged me tight. Its hard for the boys to cry, just like it is for teens in the states to be vulnerable through emotion. I will never forget those sad faces, they were appreciative though, and many of them gave us notes expressing their gratitude.We have really grown to love them.This year has been an amazing experience and we never want to forget how God has led. And how it is always more of a blessing to give than to receive. We have received so much love through these people and its not just a cliche to say "I want to see you in heaven"we are all ready looking forward to that reunion.

Our fellow missionary's have become some of our best friends. The friendships and connections based on mission are deep. They made a special meal for our last night, and a pancake breakfast that they got up at 4:00 in the morning to make. Wonderful people they will definitely be in our prayers.

Today is our last day on the island of Palawan. We fly to Manila in 5 hours. This has been an excellent year, tough at times for sure...but in the end nothing but good memories remain. We are really looking forward to the next step. Being home visiting with family and friends. We have experienced God's love here and we never want to let go of that.

Kev

Heavens tears

I was looking forward to going home. I actually couldn’t wait to get there. To leave this place. It’s hard. I don’t know the language as well as I would like. It’s hard work. I didn’t get as close to people as I thought… we’re leaving anyways… People probably like us, but not as much because we haven’t been as active as some in friendship… but it’s been busy. The clinic is hard work….

But in my knowledge, I knew emotions were going to be all over the place. But I thought that the “excited to go home” emotions would be a much higher percentage that the “I’m so sad to leave” ones. I thought the “I’ll miss some things, but mostly this was just good experience” emotions would be far heavier than “I will miss this. I will miss these people. I will miss…” ones.

Sabbath, our last one here: The people’s hearts took me by surprise. I knew there would be crying, but I didn’t think that the crying would be that genuine. I didn’t think I would cry…



Then the tears came from the people; in huge waves of sniffles and then weeping, or in teary eyes… Then the words came, and situations were mentioned and thanked for that I could never forget, but I didn’t realize the thankfulness… people clung to me, or ran out, needing to weep more loudly not in front of people. Then all the sudden it hit me too. Not only emotion, but also awe, a realization… And I realized how much I do love these people, this place, and these struggles… And I will miss them. They clung to their chests and cried, “It hurts!” “It’s bitter!”



Sunday, the next day, my last day in the clinic: “So what are we going to tie her with?” Lebin said to Joha. They too think of the idea of tying people up so they can’t leave. Hilin came in and gave me a HUGE hug. She was a little teary eyed, but was smiling. I grabbed her and tickled her. “No crying right now!” We played a little more. Arlin came and hung out at the clinic all day too. I had made coconut macaroons and kalamansi (like key limes) juice for them and for our day in the clinic. We stood around and looked at each other nibble and savor the bites, they’ve probably never had a macaroon before. We joked and took goofy pictures, and we had to wrestle them to look at the camera and smile… They gave gifts of local rice, the first harvests of it… It’s a huge part of their lives… Lebin didn’t cry though. She didn’t want to.





Then the scurrying around for Kev and me; clean this, pack this, get these pictures… get a carrier for the stuff… Thank God Sunday was exceptionally quiet. Oh, no bakid (basket like backpack) to carry the box in… Ask Lebin and Sublitu, they have one we can borrow, so down we went to visit.

The girls came to our laps and looked as us with their deep brown eyes. Maypir stared me down; her little face didn’t get uncomfortable by looking into my eyes like mine did looking into hers. Her face… It was searching. I grabbed her and turned her around to sit on my lap so I wouldn’t have to look at her like that. I wasn’t expecting to cry again… I had already gotten it out I thought.

Then the final goodbyes. Then the unexpected cry from Lebin. She just put her hands in her face and her face in her lap and wept. It took me by surprise and I cried too. I wanted to stay and hug her… but goodbyes are tough and making them longer sounded horrible.

Originally we were going to hike out very early, like 5-6am. We’d meet some people on the trail, but we would miss the masses. That’s what we originally wanted. The school kids would be getting washed up for school and eating around 6:30…. But the final goodbye is important. And it always takes longer to pack up and do final touches than I think.

My opinion had changed as well. I want to see these people one more time. The kids were finishing up their roll call and prayer on the basketball court when we came by. We took some final pictures, and then they came running. Some handed us notes. Then tears again… Oh those tears. Especially from Hilin and Arlin. “I love you!” we told each other for the hundredth time in the last weekend.




Then the trail up to Niyug, we ran into Meyni and her husband Dyun. Meyni can be quite dramatic, but I shared a special experience with her when she was very sick and there were possibly some intense spiritual things involved… I was up all night with her. She had been out of her mind. The experience gave me a new perspective on Christ and was a very spiritually growing experience for me.

Then even up in Niyug, this tough village with tough people… We saw some kids bathing, I went and poked their bellies and said goodbye. They just smiled. They were too little to understand that this goodbye was for good. Then we walked over and saw Ubri at his house making tops (wooden toys). We hadn’t been that close to him. His real pain was probably the realization that Josh would be leaving a few days later. Too many missionaries leaving at once really tore hearts up. It seemed like it was such a big bite. His tears really surprised me. The emotions again flooded me. He handed us a couple of freshly carved tops. He asked us to continue to pray for him… Oh heart pains…



Then a few of the mothers that I know very well from the clinic and their babes came out. Their eyes were teary. I love them. I love their children. Oh heart pain…

Then we’re off, up above the villages that we know well. We hike along that trail, steep and slippery, looking at good vantage points to these mountains. This year, this tough, wonderful year is over. We’re going through our mourning process. I am excited to go home. But I’m actually really thankful that I’m not overwhelmingly excited to go home. I’d felt that way numerous times this year. “I just want to go home…” But this is not how I am feeling. I am happy and excited to go home, but this place I have loved and it will be missed. Home is not on the pedestal that I thought it would be. And I’m thankful for that.

One Week

One week. Exactly 7 days until we leave the mountains. I have one more busy Sunday to work at the clinic, Kevin has 4 days left of school to teach. We have one week left of sleeping under our mosquito net, one week left fighting with our roommates the insects and rats, one week left of worrying about getting bit by malarious mosquitoes. We have one week left with our amazing team, one week left with the cute little kids that laugh and smile so easily, and the youth that are so energetic, one week left with these beautiful surroundings.

It doesn't really feel like we have only a week left, I started packing the other day, and realized I could only do so much, but that I was almost done with the actual packing. Most of our belongings we brought are used up or are going to stay here. We have a few pairs of clothes, a couple of souvenirs, and that's pretty much it. Most of it will be cleaning up, and getting our bamboo house ready for the next occupants.

Our food is getting skim too. We have lots of rice and oats left. That's about it along with a few seasonings, and some vegetables and coconut from locals and a few other ingredients. Good thing rice and oats can make a lot of things; oatmeal, rice, fried rice, cookies, coconut macaroons, oat and rice patties, oat and rice loaf, sweet coconut rice, rice and milk and bananas with cinnamon, rice and gravy.... yep, we're looking forward to the food at home. Although I've loved learning how to cook creatively here. I'm starting to say no to people who try to sell me some food because I won't be around long enough to use it. Bananas for example, won't ripen up in time if I buy any more.

We both got malaria one more time before leaving. I had it last week, Kevin had it this week; hopefully that will be it for malaria. We're just hoping not to come home with it. I wonder what's worse; applying deet to my skin every day or having malaria... not that deet is 100% mosquito proof all of the time... I've used it a lot this year, but sometimes not enough... I wonder what my hemoglobin is. I wonder if we have enlarged spleens. They're not big enough for me to feel... I can't wait to eat nutrient packed food.

I packed up all of our take home meds too. The dysentery drugs, the worm meds, the malaria meds...

I wonder what kind of emotions will flood me when I actually realize we are leaving. I wonder how the emotions of the people will affect me. I wish we could just zap into the next period of life. Goodbyes are good, but I don't like them either. But in one week, we'll be saying goodbye to Palawan.

Peace Like a River

Last Sabbath Danelle and I explored the river. It was a warm sunny day, and their was no patients at the clinic so we made our escape in the attempt to find solitude. To our surprise we made it to the river without seeing anyone, and were able to continue down the river all by ourselves.

We maneuvered the slippery rocks, and swam in the deep spots, amazed at the unexpected, yet much appreciated isolation. It is a very rare thing to have alone time here, but this Sabbath we were able to soak in this luxury. We continued to swim/hike until we reached a secluded spot with a hidden waterfall tucked up behind some boulders. The waterfall creates a deep pool, and is a very serene spot to relax and get away from it all.

We are hoping to make it back once or twice in the three weeks remaining that we do have. Time is going fast. We have been enjoying our last month here and are thankful that it has been peace filled and for the most part sickness free.

Ho Hay!!! Haystacks!

So we've been craving some foods lately. Haystacks is one of them. Mmmmm, refried beans, chips, tomatoes, salsa, lettuce, ranch, olives... these are some foods that are definitly not easily obtainable here in Kemantian.

But as a team, we decided that we needed to make haystack night happen. So with our next grocery run from Puerto Princessa, we ordered the ingredients, along with some help from things from home. So, a couple of Thursday evenings ago, we had a potluck, a haystack potluck.

Maybe our faces will show how excited we were to eat such a feast.



So we've been craving some foods lately. Haystacks is one of them. Mmmmm, refried beans, chips, tomatoes, salsa, lettuce, ranch, olives... these are some foods that are definitly not easily obtainable here in Kemantian.